The Mining Planning Engineer/Geologist is responsible for leading NESL's mine planning, resource evaluation, and operational optimization efforts. This role collaborates with operations, sales, environmental, and finance teams to develop data-driven plans that support safe, efficient, and compliant extraction of mineral reserves and operation of company businesses. The incumbent will provide technical expertise, support strategic planning initiatives, and contribute to continuous improvement of NESL operations.
Essential Functions:
Mine Planning & Resource Management (50-80%) Develops, maintains, and optimizes short- and long-term mine plans using Micromine or similar software to support production, reserve utilization, and operational efficiency. Leads reserve analysis, geologic modeling, resource evaluation, and capital projects to ensure accurate and sustainable mine development and reserve acquisition. Maintains and enhances site mapping and geologic data systems to support planning and operational decision-making. Collaborates with operations leadership to align mine plans and capital projects with production targets, plant requirements, and site-specific constraints. Provides data and analyses to support estimation of reclamation asset retirement obligation in collaboration with the environmental and finance groups. Evaluates haulage systems, fleet performance, and pit design to identify and implement efficiency improvements. Supports the design, evaluation, and continuous improvement of blasting practices to optimize fragmentation, cost, and downstream processing performance. Monitors and analyzes operational and blasting performance metrics to identify trends and recommend improvements.
Operational Support & Compliance (10-30%) Provides technical support to site personnel related to mine planning, drilling, blasting, and regulatory requirements. Prepares plans in formats suitable to the needs of individual site managers. Assists in preparing plans and documentation required for governmental agencies and ensures alignment with applicable regulations and industry best practices. Supports compliance with federal, state, and local mining regulations and corporate standards.
Business & Strategic Support (10-30%) Develops financial analyses and feasibility studies for mine development, operational improvements, and capital projects. Supports capital planning, including equipment selection, acquisition, and lifecycle management. Monitors operational performance and planning assumptions; communicates risks, trends, and opportunities to leadership. Coordinates with subcontractors and external consultants to support planning, exploration, and project execution. Stays current on industry trends, technologies, and best practices; applies knowledge to drive continuous improvement.
Other Functions: May perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, Civil Engineering, or a related field required. Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in mining operations, including mine planning, resource evaluation, and/or drilling and blasting.
Technical Knowledge & Skills: Demonstrated knowledge of surface mining methods, mine planning principles, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations. Experience with mine planning and mapping software (e.g., Micromine, Carlson, AutoCAD, or similar platforms) required. Working knowledge of drilling and blasting practices and performance optimization. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint); experience with data analysis or project management tools is a plus.
Analytical & Professional Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and translate findings into actionable plans. Demonstrated ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Collaboration & Leadership: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including operations, sales, environmental, and finance. Ability to build and maintain professional relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners. Demonstrated initiative and a proactive, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving.
Certifications & Other Requirements: Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Geologist (PG) license is preferred but not required. Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record for insurability.